We write to ask for your support of H.Res.401, a bipartisan resolution that calls for an end to the global dog and cat meat trade. An estimated 30 million dogs and a great number of cats are killed annually around the world for the dog and cat meat trade.
A considerable number of these dogs and cats are stolen pets, still wearing collars when they reach the slaughterhouses. Many of these animals die during transport to the slaughterhouses after days or weeks without food or water, and others suffer illness
and injury during transport. Additionally, the capture, transport, and butchering of dogs and cats and the consumption of their meat poses health risks such as rabies infection to traders, slaughterhouse workers, and consumers.

The animal protection movement is rapidly growing around the globe, and millions of citizens support law-making and law enforcement measures against the dog and cat meat trade. In China alone, 8.6 million citizens expressed support for legislation to ban
this cruel practice. Moreover, the majority of people in these countries do not consume dog or cat meat, and it is not part of mainstream Asian culinary practice.

Please join us by becoming a cosponsor of H.Res.401, which does the following: (1) calls for an end to the dog and cat meat industry; (2) urges nations that have a dog and cat meat trade – including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Philippines,
Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, India and others – to adopt and enforce anti-cruelty laws; (3) urges those nations to increase their efforts to prevent leather and fur by-products from entering international markets; (4) encourages those nations to enforce their
food safety laws to crack down on the sale of dog and cat meat; (5) affirms the United States’ commitment to the protection of animals and to advancing the progress of animal protection around the world; and (6) urges executive branch officials to raise the
issue of the dog and cat meat trade during bilateral discussions with officials from those countries.

The legislation has been endorsed by: The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, Animal Welfare Institute, The Buddy Fund, Humane Society International, Humane Society Legislative
Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, Hounds and Heroes, In Defense of Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), The Vanderpump Dog Foundation, and Willie’s Kids.